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What to do if your record player can only go in the corner?

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Posted on November 2, 2009 at 03:04:26
graciouslee
Audiophile

Posts: 183
Joined: September 29, 2003
 I have no other option but to have my turntable stand in the corner of the room opposite from the loudspeakers, so the loudspeakers are firing towards, but not directly at, it. I can't hear any issues when listening to music at normal volumes but I can feel vibrations on the turntable cover (the freestanding cover doesn't stay on the turntable when in use) if I put my hand on it, so I know that soundwaves are definitely hitting the general area.

Is there anything I could do to reduce whatever effects this may be having? I was wondering if putting some sort of absorbtion panels on the walls behind and to the side of the turntable might be beneficial?

Does anyone have any suggestions (besides move the turntable, as this is not an option)?

RE: What to do if your record player can only go in the corner?, posted on November 5, 2009 at 03:47:44
DanWKW
Audiophile

Posts: 468
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: June 17, 2009
 Dear Graciouslee,

For the real low frequency firing from your speakers, it spreads itself to everywhere in your room. A corner may or may not worsen the situations. Different materials have different resonant point(s). For example, a plastic dustcover would be easier to vibrate than a solid, heavy plinth or supporting platform. The vibration of the cover should be mainly caused by air-borne frequencies but your TT may be subject to both air-borne and mechanical disturbances. To eliminate both or keep them at their minimum is our main target.

First test:
Play some rock or drums or any low freq signals at your normal loudest listening volume. Put your finger# on the plinth, the platform where the TT sits on and the supporting rack or shelf. If you feel the plinth vibrates with certain low frequencies, so as your cartridge. Vibrations/resonances, at best, may give you some colorations in sound. At worst, they cause sudden mistracking(damages to the LPs, too!), unfaithful reproductions of sound and serious distortions.
#Caution: If you use a suspended TT, only touch the outer plinth or you may risk to damage one cart and record at one time.

Second test:
Play a long unmodulated groove(long groove without any recorded signals) of any test LP. Turn the volume SLOWLY* to its maximum. You should hear the stylus scratching in the unmodulated groove. That's normal and shouldn't be too disturbing. If your TT setup can withstand this test without any sudden feedback or peak at low frequencies, congratulations.
*Caution: You have to do it very very slowly, and prepare to mute the volume immediately when having serious feedback or you may risk to blow your amp or speakers immediately.

If you can't feel any obvious resonances nor vibrations under these conditions, congrats and you just need to put the dustcover or anything subject to the low frequency vibrations to another room next time.

Best regards
Dan



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This might help a little., posted on November 4, 2009 at 12:55:31
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 2325
Location: So. California
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 If your table must be in that corner, try rotating it to move the stylus tracing arc to the outside as much as possible. If your table is mounted in a left hand corner the tracing arc will be somewhat away from the actual corner. But if you have a right hand corner that will be a worse case situation as your tracing arc will be as close as possible to a corner. (think about this as viewed from above)

I know this from experience after moving my table out from a right hand corner on a shelf within an alcove.

Growing old is hell related former youth.
RE: What to do if your record player can only go in the corner?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 03:21:37
amioutaline?
Audiophile

Posts: 309
Location: Great Smoky Mountains
Joined: August 29, 2008
 You should question the folks at the Rives Forum. Corner bass traps will be very important to your situation.

RE: What to do if your record player can only go in the corner?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 02:07:31
graciouslee
Audiophile

Posts: 183
Joined: September 29, 2003
 Thanks - I've posted the message there, too.

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